Diarrhea in infants

Diarrhea is one of the common ailments during infant period. The causes vary from teething, gastrointestinal infections, antibiotics, change in mother's diet if the baby is breast fed to malabsorption. Diarrhea must resolve by its own within 5 days, if not an actual investigation and treatment is necessary. Diarrhea is the major cause for high infant mortality rate (IMR) throughout the world.

The most common causes of diarrhea in infants is the viral gastroenteritis caused by poor hygiene. They are explained in simple words as 5F's which are food, finger, formite, flies and feces. When we take care of these 5F's for our children, we can definitely prevent diarrhea and death related to diarrhea.

Treating diarrhea: Infants who have diarrhea can be compared to a pot which has a hole at the bottom. This comparison is given to make you understand that whatever the infant takes is going to go out of the body and the body does not have adequate fluids needed. To prevent dehydration we must keep rehydrating the infant to prevent other complications. However, whatever is given is going to go out, some of the nutrients are absorbed by the body during the process of digestion.

Rehydration is the best treatment for diarrhea in infants. Every time the child defecates a feed should be given. The feed must preferably be liquid that can be quickly and easily absorbed and digested by the body, and what the child is already used with. If the baby is breast fed, the mother should continue to breast feed.

Oral rehydration therapy (ORT) is the world health organization approved rehydration therapy used for both adults and children. They can be made at home as well as be bought over the counter. The amount of oral rehydration solution (ORS) given to the infant depends upon his weight and age. But the infant can be encouraged to take how much ever he can if he likes it.

Home preparation of ORS: Take 1 liter of boiled and cooled water or safe water, add 40 grammes of sugar and 3.5 grammes of salt, mix well. This can be made with lemon or orange juice instead of plain water.

ORS packets which are readily available can be made according to the instructions given in the sachet. They are also available in different flavors. They should not be stored for more than 24 hours. Again hygienic handling is important to prevent the growth of organisms.

Good hygienic practices and rehydration are the best treatments for diarrhea.